Ninja Foodi Bacon Cheese French Toast: The Ultimate Sweet and Savory Breakfast Casserole

Prepare to revolutionize your breakfast routine with a dish that perfectly marries the best of both worlds: sweet and savory. This Ninja Foodi Bacon Cheese French Toast casserole takes the beloved classic French toast and elevates it with crispy bacon and melted cheese, creating an irresistible morning feast. Building on the popularity of our original Ninja Foodi French Toast Casserole, this recipe introduces a delightful savory twist that will leave your taste buds craving more.

The secret to this exceptional dish lies in the versatility of the Ninja Foodi, utilizing its innovative STEAMBAKE function. This ensures that your French toast casserole is cooked to perfection, with a wonderfully moist interior and a golden, slightly crispy top. To achieve these fantastic results, make sure you are using a Ninja Foodi multi-cooker equipped with this specialized function.

Why Choose the Ninja Foodi for French Toast Casserole?

The Ninja Foodi isn’t just a pressure cooker or an air fryer; it’s a culinary powerhouse designed to simplify and enhance your cooking. For this Bacon Cheese French Toast Casserole, the STEAMBAKE function is particularly crucial. It combines the moist cooking of steam with the browning capabilities of baking, resulting in a French toast that’s incomparably tender on the inside while achieving that coveted golden-brown crust. This dual-cooking method prevents the casserole from drying out, which can often be a challenge with traditional oven-baked French toast, and locks in all the delicious flavors.

Beyond the STEAMBAKE feature, many Ninja Foodi models also offer a STEAMCRISP function, which contributes to the lovely crispiness of the bacon and the slight browning on the cheese without overcooking the bread. This appliance truly makes complex dishes feel effortless, transforming your kitchen experience and delivering consistent, high-quality results. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that takes the guesswork out of perfect breakfast casseroles, the Ninja Foodi is an excellent choice.

Selecting the Best Bread for Your Ninja Foodi French Toast Casserole

The foundation of any great French toast casserole is the bread. While it might seem counterintuitive, slightly stale, crusty bread is the absolute best choice for this recipe. Fresh, soft bread tends to become soggy when soaked in the custard mixture, leading to a mushy texture. Day-old bread, on the other hand, is firmer and has a lower moisture content, allowing it to absorb the egg and milk custard without falling apart, resulting in a beautifully structured and flavorful casserole.

For optimal results, we recommend using a French bread loaf or a sourdough loaf. The thick crusts on these types of bread provide excellent structure and a delightful chewiness once cooked. Other fantastic options include challah, brioche, or even artisan white bread. The key is to choose a bread that can stand up to soaking and maintain its integrity during the cooking process. Don’t be afraid to let your bread sit out on the counter for a day or two; it truly makes all the difference!

Can You Make Gluten-Free Ninja Foodi French Toast Casserole?

Absolutely, yes! Creating a delicious gluten-free French toast casserole is entirely possible, and it’s a fantastic way to enjoy this comforting dish if you have dietary restrictions. The most important step is to select a high-quality gluten-free bread that mimics the texture and structure of traditional French bread or a crusty loaf.

My personal favorite for gluten-free options is the BFree Baguette, which I’ve successfully found at stores like Walmart and Sprouts. Another widely available and excellent choice is the Schar Baguette. These brands often produce baguettes with a good crust and density, making them ideal for soaking up the custard without becoming overly mushy. Always check your local Walmart or other grocery stores, as gluten-free options are becoming increasingly common.

Ultimately, any of these recommended gluten-free baguettes or your personal favorite brand of crusty gluten-free bread will work wonderfully. Just ensure it’s substantial enough to hold its shape once cubed and saturated.

Essential Tips for Crafting Perfect Ninja Foodi Bacon Cheese French Toast

Achieving a perfectly cooked, delicious Ninja Foodi Bacon Cheese French Toast casserole is simple with a few key considerations. This recipe specifically leverages the STEAMCRISP and STEAMBAKE functions of your Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker. Before you begin, confirm that your model is equipped with these capabilities to ensure the desired outcome of a crispy exterior and a tender, moist interior.

For this recipe, I personally used a Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 Multi-Cooker, which offers these versatile functions. The STEAMBAKE setting is instrumental in achieving the ideal texture, providing a gentle yet thorough cooking environment.

Ensuring Proper Doneness and Temperature

Food safety and optimal texture are paramount. To ensure your French toast casserole is fully cooked through and wonderfully fluffy, the center should reach an internal temperature of at least 190°F (88°C). A quick-read thermometer is an invaluable tool for this, allowing you to check the temperature accurately without overcooking.

Choosing and Preparing Your Baking Pan

An 8-inch cake pan, such as a standard Wilton Cake Pan, is perfect for this recipe. Proper pan preparation is essential for easy removal and serving. Generously buttering the cake pan or lining it with parchment paper will prevent sticking and ensure your beautiful French toast casserole slides out effortlessly. This small step makes a big difference in presentation and convenience.

Serving and Storage Guidelines

This Bacon Cheese French Toast Casserole is best enjoyed warm, directly from the Ninja Foodi. The SteamBake setting creates a delightful crispiness on top that’s unmatched when freshly cooked. Serve it immediately to savor the contrasting textures and flavors. For a truly indulgent experience, a drizzle of maple syrup perfectly complements the sweet and savory notes.

Should you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use a microwave for a quick warm-up, or for a crispier result, utilize the Ninja Foodi’s Air Crisp setting at 330°F (165°C) for about 4-5 minutes until heated through and slightly crisped.

If you’re looking for more delicious French toast variations, be sure to explore our Slow Cooker S’mores French Toast for a purely sweet treat, or revisit the classic Ninja Foodi French Toast Casserole for a delightful staple.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars by 1 user

Created by:
Kristy Still

Ninja Foodi Bacon Cheese French Toast Casserole

Course:
Ninja Foodi Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:

6
Servings

Make a sweet and savory breakfast with this Ninja Foodi Bacon Cheese French Toast Casserole! This recipe uses the Steam Bake Function of the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker!

Print Recipe
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Prep Time:

15
mins

Cook Time:

13
mins

Total Time:

28
mins

Ingredients

• 4 Large Eggs
• 1 1/2 Cup Milk (2% or Whole Milk)
• 1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
• 6 Cups French Bread (Cut into cubes)
• 1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Cup Cooked Bacon Strips (Crumbled)
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Colby Jack
• 2 Cups Water

Toppings

• Shredded Cheese
• Crumbled Bacon

Instructions

1. Butter an 8-inch cake pan on the bottom and sides, or coat it with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside for later.
2. Pour 2 cups of water into the cooking pot of your Ninja Foodi. This water is essential for the steaming part of the Steam Bake function.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, packed brown sugar, and maple syrup until well combined and smooth. This forms your rich custard base.
4. Add the cubed French bread to the custard mixture. Gently toss and press the bread cubes to ensure they are fully soaked and absorb as much of the liquid as possible. This step is crucial for a moist interior.
5. Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon, then add the crumbled cooked bacon strips and shredded Colby Jack cheese to the bread mixture.
6. Gently mix all ingredients until they are evenly distributed throughout the bread and custard.
7. Carefully pour the entire mixture into the prepared 8-inch cake pan, spreading it evenly.
8. Place the cake pan onto the wire rack that came with your Ninja Foodi. Then, lower the wire rack (with the cake pan) into the low position within the gray cooking pot of the Ninja Foodi.
9. Close the Ninja Foodi lid. Select the STEAM CRISP function, then turn the dial to choose the STEAM BAKE setting.
10. Set the temperature to 325°F (165°C) and the cooking time for 13 minutes. For the Steam Bake function, it does not matter if the pressure release valve is open or closed.
11. Close the Ninja Foodi lid securely and allow the casserole to cook.
12. Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully open the lid and remove the wire rack and the cake pan from the pot using oven mitts.
13. If desired, sprinkle more shredded cheese and crumbled bacon on top for extra flavor and garnish before serving.
14. Let the French toast casserole rest for 2-3 minutes to set slightly, then slice and serve warm.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, you can microwave portions or use the Ninja Foodi’s Air Crisp setting at 330°F (165°C) for about 4-5 minutes for a crispier finish.

The best types of bread to use for this recipe are French Baguette, Cuban, Italian, Sourdough, or Ciabatta. It’s highly recommended to use a thick-crusted bread and allow it to sit out for 1-2 days before using, so it becomes slightly stale. This enhances its ability to absorb the custard without becoming soggy.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 Serving |
Calories: 940 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 149g |
Protein: 37g |
Fat: 22g |
Saturated Fat: 8g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 7g |
Trans Fat: 0.04g |
Cholesterol: 155mg |
Sodium: 1719mg |
Potassium: 493mg |
Fiber: 5g |
Sugar: 35g |
Vitamin A: 396IU |
Vitamin C: 0.01mg |
Calcium: 315mg |
Iron: 10mg